Though scoring has been an issue at times for the Greenwich High School field hockey team, Cardinals coach Ally Orrico knows her squad has the ability to light the scoreboard frequently.

"We have the talent to be a scoring powerhouse," Orrico said. "It's a matter of being disciplined in the lanes that you need to be in. When you lose lane discipline, it doesn't allow you to convert your opportunities."

The Cardinals made sure they were in the right place on the field at the right time Monday -- especially senior forward Liz Stillman.

The senior co-captain recorded a hat trick, propelling Greenwich past Pomperaug, 5-1, in the team's annual Columbus Day matchup at Cardinal Stadium.

Latest Sports Video

"Liz has been working hard at that left post and today, her discipline was the difference in converting on those opportunities," Orrico said. Greenwich, which has won two straight after dropping 1-0 decisions to Brien McMahon and New Canaan, improved to 7-3 heading into Wednesday's showdown against undefeated Wilton.

"It was real important that we scored those goals today because the last couple of games we lost the score was 1-0," said GHS senior co-captain Emily Brash, who registered one goal and two assists. "We played a great game against a strong team and came out with a lot of intensity."

Stillman scored the game's first goal five minutes into the first half, getting her stick on the ball after a shot from Brash deflected off Panthers goalie Abby Dolan's pads.

"Emily took an amazing hit on goal and I saw the opportunity to bring the ball around the defender and sweep it to the top," said Stillman, a co-captain. "Scoring early helped us get a good tone going, which we kept."

With Brash, Stillman, Ali Larkin and Emma Montgomery effectively moving the ball up the field, the Cards drew six penalty corners in the opening half.

"We definitely came out flat," Pomperaug coach Anne Strobel said. "Our team is very young and I think we were a little intimidated, but we pushed through it."

Strobel, in her first season as the Panthers' head coach, was Pomperaug's goalie when it won the Class L title in 2003 and 2004 under longtime coach Linda Dirga. She felt her squad (4-4-0-2) played with more purpose during the second half.

"At halftime we discussed moving the ball down the field quicker and cutting to the ball," Strobel said. "They didn't dominate us as much in the second half, which was promising."

Brash gave Greenwich a 2-0 edge, driving a high shot near the top of the circle past Dolan with 7:11 left in the first half. Montgomery tallied with 6:47 to go in the opening half and Stillman scored off a scramble in front of the cage five minutes into the second half, making it 4-0. Meanwhile, Pomperaug had limited scoring chances thanks to the strong defensive play of sophomore Anne Dunster, junior Lizzie Trotta and Larkin. Junior Freddie Bancroft made five saves in goal for the Cards, while Dolan stopped nine shots.

"Our defense is very strong and that's something that really helps the forward line," Stillman said. "We don't have to constantly be using our energy to recover because our defense could stop them. After a rough week last week, we're picking it up and showing a lot of improvement."

Sophomore Joanna Rizza put Pomperaug on the scoreboard, tallying off a penalty corner at the 21:20 mark. Stillman sealed her big day, scoring her third goal with 4:12 left for GHS, which substituted freely throughout.

"We want to continue to build as much depth as possible," Orrico said. "Hopefully, we'll continue to move in the right direction."